Getting Started with Pickleball Leagues (PL): Complete Setup Overview
Setting up a league in Pickleball Leagues (PL) requires a Pickleball.com account and an active Club. Once those are in place, you create the league, configure its settings, add a session, and open registration. This article gives you the full overview with links to the detailed articles for each step.
Before You Begin
- You must have a Pickleball.com player profile.
- You must have an active Club on Pickleball.com. The Club is the organizational entity that runs your league. See How to Create a Club on Pickleball.com if you haven't done this yet.
- If you plan to accept online payments, set up Stripe in your Club before opening registration.
Step 1 — Create your league
- Log in to Pickleball.com, click your name, and select Manage.
- Select Leagues and click Create New League.
- Complete the Basic Info page: league title, format, player group, and visibility settings.
See League Setup — Basic Info in PL for a full field-by-field reference.
Step 2 — Configure checkout options, discounts, sponsors, and managers
After Basic Info, work through the remaining setup pages: Checkout Options (how players pay), Discount Codes, Sponsors, and Managers.
See League Setup — Checkout Options, Discounts, Sponsors, and Managers in PL for the full walkthrough.
Step 3 — Create your first session
A Session is the time-bound group of game days for one season of play. Configure fees, registration parameters, operation settings, and add your game days.
See How to Create Your First League Session in PL for the complete session setup walkthrough.
Step 4 — Open registration
- Return to your session and set Current Status to Active.
- Confirm Show on Search is enabled so players can find your league.
- Share your league link with players or let them find you through the PL search.
Do not set Current Status to Active until all session settings are complete. Players can begin registering as soon as the status is active.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need before I can create a league?
You need a Pickleball.com account and an active Club. Clubs are created by request — see How to Create a Club on Pickleball.com for details.
My first session is ending. How do I set up the next one?
Add a new session to the existing league using Add a Session from the League Menu. Never create a new league for a new season — this breaks player history and standings continuity.
Related articles
- Understanding League Structure in PL
- League Setup — Basic Info in PL
- How to Create Your First League Session in PL
- The League Menu in PL
Questions about setting up your league? Email support@pickleball.com.